ALFRED, ON –  The University of Guelph today announced a new initiative at Collège d’Alfred which will bring together resources and expertise to provide research into the science of organic dairy production.

The Centre for Organic Dairy Research has received over $580,000 in financial support from the Government of Canada through the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Fund (ACAAF).

The initiative, led by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, has received strong support from councils funded under the ACAAF program. The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC), located in Ontario, has allocated $410,826 towards this endeavour and the Conseil pour le développement de l’agriculture du Québec (CDAQ) has also committed $176,069. Additional support for this project was provided by the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as well as the Prescott-Russell Community Development Corporation.

“Today’s announcement is great news for Collège d’Alfred,” said Alan Wildeman, Guelph’s vice-president (research). “This will establish Alfred as an important research node in the dairy industry and will provide milk producers with a focused effort in organic agricultural production. We are grateful to the two provincial councils for their support: the AAC.in Ontario and the CDAQ in Québec.”

The centre will include a certified organic dairy herd and associated research facilities, and will operate on a cost-recovery basis funded by milk sales. It will also be a conduit for information and technology generated by research at other institutions in North America and Europe, and will operate in both English and French. Research conducted at the facility will be coupled with outreach efforts designed to facilitate the transfer of the knowledge and technology to the dairy industry, both organic and conventional.

“This project, led by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, will assist in the development of a world renowned organic dairy research centre, located right here in Ontario,” says Bette Jean Crews, AAC Chair. “This project clearly addresses one of the AAC’s priorities – industry-led solutions to emerging issues – and will benefit those along the entire value chain from consumer to producer.”

”CDAQ is pleased to participate in this project. Our collaboration with the AAC facilitates the establishment of concrete and enduring ties between the agriculture faculties and the teaching institutions of the two provinces. At a moment when consumers are more and more sensitive to issues such as respect for the environment and animal welfare, this alternative approach offers an interesting and promising response,” says CDAQ's representative Roger Riverin.

“Dairy farming is one sector where high demand is creating significant opportunities for growth,” said Marcel Couture, Collège d’Alfred’s interim director. “It requires support in the form of scientifically grounded research and technology, which we will be able to provide through this new centre.”

Consumer demand for organically produced food, including organic milk, is growing by 15 to 20 per cent a year in Canada. But the Canadian supply is unable to meet the demand, so about 85 per cent of the organic food sold in here is currently imported.

The Centre for Organic Dairy Research will be overseen by an executive director and an advisory committee made up of representatives of the dairy industry, farmers, processors and producer organizations.

Collège d’Alfred is part of the University of Guelph’s network of Ontario Agricultural College campuses and research stations throughout Ontario. Located in the eastern Ontario town of Alfred, near Ottawa, this unique campus offers diploma and certificate programs, which are all taught in French.

The AAC and CDAQ are non-profit grass roots coalitions dedicated to providing financial resources to assist Ontario’s and Quebec’s agriculture and agri-food industry remain profitable, grow and maintain its economic strength. They receive the majority of their funding through their respective province’s share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s $243 million Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program.

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Contact:
Marcel Couture, acting director, Collège d’Alfred

For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824- 4120, Ext. 53338, or Rebecca Kendall, Ext. 56982.

Agricultural Adaptation Council, contact the Communications Coordinator: Nadine Buitenhuis, (519) 822-7554, nbuitenhuis@adaptcouncil.org, www.adaptcouncil.org.